Jack Davis was a three-time NCAA 120 yards hurdle champion when he went to Helsinki as part of the US Olympic Track & Field Team. In the ’52 Games he was edged out for the Gold in 110 meter hurdles by teammate Harrison Dillard and took home the Silver. This uniform set was worn by Davis during the games in Helsinki.
The white singlet features a red, white and blue diagonal ribbon across the front with a red, white, blue and gold Team USA shield patch. A Wilson label with size “40” hand tag is sewn in the lower front tail. The singlet shows tremendous use with heavy toning and staining throughout. There are a few small snags in the fabric but no tears or rips. Loose threads are present and there is some pitting to the fabric beneath the arm holes.
The blue sweatsuit top has a half zip front closure with the original, working zipper. “USA” is spread across the front in red and white letters and the sleeve openings and boson is trimmed with red and white ribbing. A Wilson label with size “40” hang tap is sewn inside the collar. The sweatshirt shows heavy use. The dark blue has fade slightly with age and there is toning throughout the piece. The fabric of the letters on the front have frays and puckered with aging and laundering and there is some staining visible in places, but no rips or holes.
The matching blue sweatpants have red and white striping down the sides zippers on the bottom of both legs. There is a Wilson label in the waist band and a size “32” hand tap affixed. Like the singlet and sweatshirt, the pants show tremendous use. The blue has faded with time and there is heavy toning and staining throughout. There are several small holes on both sides of the piece and the crotch has a significant tear from age. With is attribution to a 2-time Olympic medalist, this rarely seen complete sweatsuit with matching singlet is a museum worthy piece Team USA history.
This piece includes a signed letter of provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions.